. It is essential for a range of photography types, including , , , , (particularly focus bracketing), and can also elevate your to give a much more professional look. I suspect many photographers sense that they could use a tripod more often – or get round to buying one in the first place.
While the remarkable high ISO and capabilities of modern cameras allow handheld , . – The problem, of course, is that tripods are big, heavy, and awkward to set up – or at least, they used to be. The good news is that, if you’ve an aversion to tripods after lugging around a heavy, chunky metal one, .
– Technology – not least, materials technology – has advanced greatly in recent years. has gone from expensive luxury to mainstream material, providing both lighter weight and superior dampening of vibrations. Many models are available in both materials: I’d always recommend carbon fibre if you can afford it.
Aluminium legs are cheaper but tend to be heavier. Where three-section legs were once considered de rigueur, four- or five-section models are now standard, giving a shorter folded length that’s more convenient to carry, especially when combined with reverse-folding leg designs. Anti-twist leg locks make setting up quicker than ever, while the dovetail pattern has emerged as the de facto standard for quick-release plates.
– – In a market that was once dominated by Manfrotto and Gitzo, there’s now a wider range of brands to choose from. Newer names such as Benro, 3 L.